Originally posted by ca Mona---that is GREAT!
Personally, I think ikkyo period (omote or ura, any attack or variation) has as its sole purpose to remind us this is an open ended study subject

Thanks Col'!
You're very wise, you know?
Still, it was kind of embarrassing when ikkyo ura just wouldn't work, and everyone was watching, as I was sweating and all red.
But you're right.
As in the words of my sensei himself: "There are black belt students who still don't know what Aikido is."